60th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China: China invites foreign diplomats to attend National Day festivities
News on September 17: China is set to invite foreign diplomats in China to attend its National Day festivities in accordance with usual practices, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said on Thursday. Jiang made the remarks at a regular press conference, but she did not unveil details about the invitation list. A series of festivities will be held to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. According to the National Day celebration preparation committee of the Beijing municipal government, a huge reception will be held in the Great Hall of the People on Sept. 30, the eve of National Day.
Hong Kong Unemployment Rate keeps unchanged
News on September 17, HONG KONG — Hong Kong announced its unemployment rate remained at a seasonally adjusted 5.4% from June to Aug. On Thursday, the city’s labor chief expected the figure to stay high in near future as newcomers enter the market. The Census and Statistics Department of Hong Kong Thursday released the city’s latest labor force statistics, showing that the unemployment rate, 5.4 percent, recorded during June to Aug. was the same as that during May to July.
As for the underemployment rate, it also stood unchanged at 2.4percent, according to the statistics. Hong Kong’s Secretary for Labor and Welfare Matthew Cheung Kin-chung said the near-term employment outlook would much depend on the pace of job creation in the economy relative to that in the labor supply.
“As the pace of business growth remains uncertain, employers are generally cautious in hiring new hands at this point in time. Coupled with the relatively slow absorption of newcomers, including fresh graduates and school leavers into the labor market this year, the unemployment rate is expected to remain high in the near term,” Cheung said.
The statistics also told that decreases in the unemployment rate were mainly observed in the construction; warehousing and support activities for transportation; and real estate sectors, while increases were more apparent in the accommodation services; arts, entertainment and recreation; and wholesale sectors. As to the underemployment rate, decreases were mainly seen in the construction and warehousing and support activities for transportation sectors, offsetting increases in the education and wholesale sectors.
Myers Industries layoffs: Myers Industries will close two plants and lay off its employees
News on September 15, agricultural and industrial polymer products manufacturer Myers Industries Inc (MYE) announced that as part of its adjustment of production capacity and cut operating costs, two production plants will be closed before the end of this year.
Approximately 158 jobs will be cut down. The company said it would close its materials handling sector, an injection molding plant in Shelbyville, Kentucky. The plant produces plastic materials (9985, -70.00, -0.70%) reusable container, the existing staff is about 88.
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